Sergio Aguero risked getting a red card during Manchester City’s clash against Arsenal for grabbing lineswoman Sian Massey on the back of the neck.
The Manchester City forward, 32, made a return to the City starting XI for the first time since last season following a long injury lay-off.
However, some may believe he was fortunate to have not been dismissed after being spotted clearly grabbing the assistant on the back of the neck when protesting against a throw in given against his side.
Any physical contact with a referee or assistant warrants either a yellow or a red depending on its severity.
But Aguero will not be punished retrospectively after the FA revealed no formal action was required.
Since the incident, the player has been slammed by football fans.
The ball hit Aguero last before going out of play but the Argentine took issue with Massey’s call.
He spoke to Massey as she pointed her flag in favour of Arsenal before briefly grabbing her neck as she walked up the line. The game carried on as normal after the brief incident.
Aguero was substituted in the second half. The striker was replaced by Ilkay Gundogan on 65 minutes.
The incident came towards the end of the first half of a game which City won 1-0.
Questioned on the incident at the post-match press conference, Guardiola said: “Come on guys. Sergio is the nicest person I ever met in my life. Look for problems in other situations, not in this one.”
Rules introduced in 2016 mean players can be cautioned or sent off if they touch match officials, depending on the nature of the incident, but he did not receive any kind of punishment.
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